My Monster Feeder Idea - I'm going to try it.

[neverbdone]

For years I have loaded 50 lb bags of feed into my car, then into the shed, then dumped it into a ice chest then carried the feeders from my 4 coups to fill up and carry back to the coups every day or two. Sooooo, while needing a new feeder (4 large ones and 4 small baby ones just aren't enough) I was looking at making a pipe feeder. They seem to have many advantages, except the one of me still having to pour scoop by scoop into the pipe.

Why can't I use the pipes for legs to hold an ice chest up and have the ice chest feed my chickens by gravity? This is what I came up with. I am getting the PVC this weekend and making this thing. As always, I expect to have to tweak the design as I go, but here is the roughed out plan.

I plan to put this outside the run and have the feeder pipe cut into the fence and open into the run. That way I can pull the truck up to the "hopper" aka ice chest and dump in the feed without entering the coup or run.

I really hope this works. Any ideas, suggestions, criticisms, etc. appreciated.

 

[adkhunter1590]

Good idea. Inside the chest make a diverter. Like a triangle piece in the center that will push feed towards the holes. May not flow to all spouts correctly. But I deff like the idea!!

 

[19disbre]

Good idea I had a similar idea but remember while you build it that you gotta get the feed up there in the first place

 

[neverbdone]

...

Good idea I had a similar idea but remember while you build it that you gotta get the feed up there in the first place
[/quoteRight! Legs fairly short. I'm only 5.3. And figure the top to dump max 4 feet. Good to do off the shoulder, buy I think really should be just over 3 feet. Have to play with the design. DH getting into the idea and model.

 

[phryan]

Look up a treadle feeder. The version I built doesn't have the food cover, but still has the upright hopper and tray. The hopper width and volume accommodate a full bag of feed.
Open the bag, put the top part in the opening and lift it vertical. Quick and no spill, very little waist from the chickens either.

The concern I'd have with your design would be dead spots between the pipes where food could sit for a while and go bad.

 

[neverbdone]

I've seen the treadle feeders and am considering a way to use that concept in conjunction with this model. Only I would use hinged caps over the pipe opening. Will eliminate areas food can get stuck as much as possible. Also putting filler in the bottom of each feeder leg so feed doesn't just sit in the bottoms of the legs. In high season my turkey coup goes through 50 lbs a week, so feed doesn't sit around long. Can't wait to see what it takes to train a turkey to open their own can of food.